We’re talking about the music artist Chika, a story of the Truth Behind Black LGBTQ+  Power & Resilience, and news of Georgia’s new LGBTQ Senator Kim Jackson.   

Song of the Show  

• This week we feature the song Crown by the music artist/rapper/songwriter Chika. Best known for their cover of Kanye West’s song “Jesus Walks”, they began releasing music officially in 2019 with the single “No Squares”. They were originally born in Montgomery, Alabama, and this artist has only continued to challenge themselves to show out for their hometown. They’ve collaborated with other artists such as BJ the Chicago Kid, Tank and the Bangas, Charlie Wilson, and Chelsea Peretti.   

Featured Story  

• The story of Shaun takes the reader on a journey of growing up as a Black, gay kid and learning how to use that experience to become resilient against negativity. With trying to balance friend/family relationships, microaggressions, lack of representation in the media, and shame, the character finds pride within themselves and their community.   

Black & Queer @ The Table  

• In this episode, we decided to talk about the rainbow wave victories leading up to Kim Jackson becoming the very first LGBTQ Senator for the state of Georgia! During the beginning of 2021, Jackson created history in Congress, along with Mondaire Jones (new freshmen rep to the House of Representatives leadership) and Ritchie Torress (first Afro-Latino member of Congress). I love seeing all this Black, Queer excellence and wanted to applaud this moment in history!   

Resources

• Sean Sasser, Who Was Half of One of TV’s First Gay Couples, Dies at 44


• Brown, Black, Queer and Invisible


• The Closet Is Crowded: The Hidden Black LGBTQ Community


• Yes, I can still be unapologetically queer while in the closet


• Microaggressions Are A Big Deal: How To Talk Them Out And When To Walk Away


• Here’s What I Need as a Queer Black Student


• The Unfair Criminalization of Gay and Transgender Youth

If you want exclusive access to our music playlist, direct links to our blog, anonymously submit a story, or get the latest Black & Queer news? Check out the links below!  

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hclEqj  

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G9DCV8C 

Website: theclosetunlocked.com 

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-closet-unlocked

The journey is never easy, but these stories are here to show others that they are not alone in their intersectional experiences. 

We hope to continue fostering a deeper sense of belonging and spreading more love with each story.